1992 Rover - Austin Montego Reviews - Page 2 of 2

Summary:

Faults:

Engine rebuild required at 133,000 miles due to piston collapse in very worn bores. 2 cracked heads. Various service items like tyres, exhaust after 100,000 miles, suspension components, brakes. Car rusting away and looking tatty now.

General Comments:

This car was a bargain to buy and run. I have covered 114,000 miles at a total cost of 13,000 UKP. That includes all fuel, service, engine work, purchase cost and insurance. I will have a problem replacing this car when it rusts away. If I could buy a brand new one with a galvanised and properly painted body I would not hesitate. The car averages 45mpg when thrashed which is how I drive it. 55-60mpg is easily achievable if you can keep off the accelerator, which takes some beating even with a new car, particularly one this big.

9th Sep 2001, 09:08

26th Oct 2001, 12:43

I wrote the original entry, and I can assure anybody that these economy figures are realistic. I recently drove to the North of Scotland and back from Huntingdon via Edinburgh and returned via the West Coast, and my economy readings were 56.8mpg, 57.2mpg, 58.0mpg and 55.4mpg. I would be interested to hear of a replacement vehicle that I could expect similar economy from.

6th Apr 2005, 07:05

I have owned a turbo diesel estate for 3 yrs and can vouch for the easy 50 mile per gallon. I should know this as I have clocked over 50,000 miles on it from well over 100,000.

Penny for penny, mile for mile a very reliable motor, just make sure you wash it weekly!!! door bottoms bonnet front and boot lid bottom and especially rear wheel arches love rust, although I am lucky except the latter.

They are a fast roomy economical workhorse, ashame they stopped production in 94...i would without doubt be looking for a newer one otherwise.

Faults:

General Comments:

Reliable workhorse. Even though it only has a 1.6, acceleration is reasonable. Load space is great, I've moved house, bands, firewood, etc. The car is a charm on the motorway, and gets better mpg at 80 mph than at 70!

Faults:

Nothing, just normal service parts such as tyres, exhaust, shock absorbers etc.

General Comments:

We have had this car for 5 years and it has now done 241,000 miles. It never breaks down and it does 50 mpg. The service interval is 12,000 miles. I have driven it all over Europe, towed boats and caravans with it and for a family estate it is ideal. I cannot find any current model that can match the performance, economy, reliability and other capabilities of this car.

18th Oct 2002, 16:01

I have had "Monty" for four years, I bought it because I did work for an ambulance service so it was ideal. a) it's white. b) it's roomy. c) it's very cheap to run - 50mpg plus.

I've had no major problems. I had a clutch replaced in Spain (where it took all the family/trailer tent/topbox/kitchen sink at 45mpg) and only realised it was slipping cos the shaft thru the gearbox casing was seizing (a fault I'd had on a maestro TD - same engine/box), the clutch plate was fine... DOH!

Monty has done 150,000 miles and flies thru each MOT once I've turned the diesel pump down to pass emissions, then back up for a little more speed.

As a workhorse you can't fault it, and I've got the 7 seat kit from a scrapyard for £20!

BUT... tempus fugit, and I am now about to re-live my youth, I don't need "frugal" or "spacy", so Monty has to go. After 4 years and two trips to Spain, it will be a wrench, but I need a 2.8i Capri (or same), so thanks Monty, it's been cheap!..er, fun...